Bolt pointer



April 1965 P. D. BECKER ETAL 3,177,507

I BOLT POINTER Filed May 24, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 'PHILLIP D. BECKERROBERT M. RIGOT Y/QQZMAZW AT TOBN EYS A ril 13, 1965 P. D. BECKER ETAL3,177,507

BOLT POINTER Filed May 24, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR I50 PHILLIP D.BECKER BYROBERT M. RlGOT "z,g"5

ATTORNEYS April 13, 1965 Filed May 24, 1962 P. D. BECKER ETAL 3,177,507

BOLT POINTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 25 210 i/zso 252 INVENTOR PHILLIP D.BECKER ROBE-RT M. RIGOT ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,177,507 BOLTPOINTER Philip D. Becker, Woodhury, and Robert M. Rigot, Cheshire, Comm,assignors to Buell Industries, Inc., Waterbury, Comm, a corporation ofDelaware Filed May 24, 1962, Ser. No. 197,386 11 Claims. (Cl. 10-21)This invention relates to machine tools for pointing operations, andmore particularly to machines for chamfering or pointing bolts, screwsand similar fastening devices.

In the manufacture of bolts and screws, wire or rod stock of suitablemetal is fed to a bolt making machine which first forms the head of thebolt, etc., by upsetting the metal stock, after which a selected length,of the stock is sheared or severed to provide a headed blank of desiredlength. Generally the shanks of these blanks are thereafter threaded bythread rolling or chasing operations but before these operations can beperformed, the blanks must be chamfered at their distal ends toeliminate the formation of a burr or weakened starting thread whichwould otherwise be produced. This chamfering operation is commonlyreferred to as pointing and has been accomplished heretofore in variousways, as shown for example in an early patent, No. 679,540 and morerecently in No. 2,448,305. However this pointing operation has long beena source of trouble, giving rise :to production problems in bolt andscrew manufacture. These problems have been occasioned in large measureby the relatively low production capacity of the available apparatus andmethods of pointing the blanks. Tool chatter and resulting excessivetool wear and breakage, as well as roughened surfaces of the work, aresome of the more common difliculties. In fact, the pointing operationhas until now been a principal bottleneck in the manufacture of threadedbolts and screws, as the capacity of bolt-forming machines now availablegreatly exceeds that of the means for pointing the blanks.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide improvedapparatus for pointing bolt, screw and similar fastening devices. Theimprovements afforded by the invention include not only a verysubstantial increase in the speed at which individual bolts, etc. may bepointed, but a greater flexibility and capability of pointing apparatusto handle different types of pointing operations on different types ofmetals with little or no change in the apparatus.

To this end, the apparatus herein disclosed is characterized byrelatively simple yet rugged construction, free ,of operatingdifiiculties. It is further characterized by freedom from objectionablechatter and vibration during chamfering of the Work blanks, thusproducing smoother and more uniform points on the work. The design andconstruction of the apparatus is such as to provide large bearingsurfaces at critical'load points, yet bulkiness and complexity of theunit are avoided.

In addition to compactness of the apparatus, which also makes forgreater accessibility to and simplification in the means for feeding thebolt blanks automatically to the pointer, the invention further providesa unit which is essentially self-cleaning in that chips or shavingsproduced in the course of pointing the blanks tend to be thrown free ofthe work and of the machine. Clogging of the apparatus and its cuttingsurfaces, and unnecessary wear and dulling of those surfaces, is thusreduced.

The novel design herein disclosed further provides considerable excessavailable cutting surface beyond that needed at any one time, wherebysimple adjustment may be made to shift the cutter or cutters of theapparatus to bring fresh cutting surfaces into use, withoutnecessitating the removal of the cutters from the apparatus. This3,177,507 Fatented Apr. 13, 1965 ice greatly reduces the down-time ofthe apparatus and consequently increases the production rate of which itis capable. In place of the usual cutting bit used in the standardbox-pointers generally employed in the bolt making industry today, thenovel apparatus makes use to good advantage of standard milling machinecutters of conventional design.

Greater ability to adapt the apparatus for cutting stock of differentmetals and consequently of different machin ing characteristics, is alsoprovided by means of a coaxial spindle arrangement in the machines heredisclosed, whereby the cutting speed of the apparatus can be varied atwill to suit the particular work involved. Such arrangement alsocontributes materially to the compactness of the unit.

These and other advantages of the apparatus will become more apparentfrom the description which follows of several forms of pointingapparatus embodying the invention, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bench or work station at which a boltpointing unit is positioned, showing means also for feeding the boltsautomatically to the pointing head and extracting them after thepointing operation is completed;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation and on an enlarged scale of the boltpointing head incorporated in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the head seen in FIG. 2, showing a boltchucking arrangement and a bolt in position to be pointed in the head;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, of a modified form ofunit employing two beveled milling cutters in place of a singlecylindrical cutter as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view also similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 of stillanother modification; and

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the unit of FIG. 6.

In the plan view of a bolt pointing station illustrated in FIG. 1, apointing head 10 is suitably supported on work surface or bench 12 bysuitable frame members 14, 15, provided with bearings 16, 18, forreceiving and journaling a spindle to which the bolt pointing head issecured at the forward free end thereof. I

Vibratory or other suitable bolt sorting and aligning means 22 ismounted on bench 12, and the bolt blanks are dumped into the hopper ofthis unit for delivery to the pointer. This sorting unit forms no partof the present invention and since various units for this purpose arecommercially available, no detailed description of this unit isnecessary. Suffice it to say that the oriented bolt blanks b are fed bygravity in side-by-side arrangement transversely of their length fromsorter 22 along a track 24 to a pointing station which is depicted inFIG. 1 by the bolt B in axial alignment with pointing head 10. Aconventional tucker 25 at this location separates the leading bolt fromthose following and its head is engaged to prevent the bolt fromturning. Feed track 24 is pivoted at 27 adjacent sorter 22 and theentire track together with bolt B swings to permit introduction of thedistal end of the bolt into the pointing head, as shown moreparticularly in FIG. 4. Pivoting of track 24 occurs with engagement ofthe head of bolt B by an anvil 26 carried by plunger 28 of a penumaticactuator 30. When the pointing operation is completed, plunger 28 isretracted together with track 24 and bolt B by a return spring 32 to theposition shown in FIG. 1. This position is adjustable by means of setscrew 33 against which track 24 normally comes to rest under the urgingof spring 32. The tucker at the pointing station is then operated to r.3 I r eject bolt B onto the adjacent surface of bench 12, and to advancethe next bolt into position for'pointing. The pointed bolts passdownwardly through chute 34 to a tote box or similar container.

As here shown, aportionof frame 15 extends forwa'rdly of pointer andfonmsa guard fence 36 across the'face of the machine. at 38 to permitintroduction of bolt B into the pointing head but serves to preventaccessof the bolt to the machine if not properly aligned therewith.

Details of pointing head 10 are illustrated more particularly in FIGS.'2, 3 and 4. As best'seen in FIG. 4, head 10 is secured by bolts 42passing througha flange 40 formed at theforw'ard end of a spindle 20,and the pointing head is thus supported and rotated about an axiscoinciding-with that of bolt B. Pointing head .10 as 'here showncomprises an integral casting or forging having a generallyfrusto-conical forward portion 44 with' the nose immediately adjacentthe work being of-relatively small diameter, thus facilitating accessto-the unit at the work-receiving end. Head 10 also has an integralcylindrical hub 46 of reduced diameter projecting rearwardly from thebase of the frusto-conical portion.

The fence is suitably apertured 7 FIGS. 3 and 4, which cooperates withcounterbore 48 to provide "clearance for milling cutter 52. digs havingdifferent sized aperturesare employed to fit bolts, screws,

" etc; of different diameters.

Referring again to FIG. '1, driving power is imparted to coaxial shaftsand 78 by sheaves 100, 102, respectively, Sheave -100 has a large hubI04 enclosing ,a

bearing assembly .to support inner shaft 78 adjacent its the bolts, whenengaged, to be drawn into the. machine.

The head is bored to provide concentric stepped bores 48, 50, inclininginwardly of the axis of rotation forwardly of the unit, for thereception of a. milling cutter 52 and supporting countershaft'54, morefully described presently. In the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 2through 4, the axis of bores 48, 50, intersects and crosses the axis ofhead 10 in the nose or forward portion 44 thereof. I i

This nose portion 44 is also milled or out along an axial plane toprovide a slot 56 (see FIG. 3) extending partially through the diameterof the head and intersecting bores 48, 50.1 Double forward bearings 58,58, are seated in bore 50 and are held in position against shoulder 49by a clamping bolt 60 passing through the slotted portion adjacent the"bearings. A rear'bearing 62 is seated with a light friction fit in therear of bore 50, and this together with'bearings 58 rotatably supportcountershaft 54.

Actually this cou'ntershaft as, here shown takesthe form of a'chucksleeve having a forward peripheral flange 64 and is threaded, asat ,66,at its rearfor reception of a retaining nut 68. A conventional splitcollet 70 and collet tightening means 72 (see FIG. 4) are carried by thesleeve at its forward and rear ends, respectively, and the shank ofmilling cutter 52 is received and retained in the split collet inwell-known manner.

Countershaft or sleeve 54 also has, adjacent its rear end, a bevel gear74 which is splined or keyed to the This provides a substantiallyself-feeding arrangement after the bolts, screws, etc. have been broughtinto initial contact ,With' the cutter.

'A modified pointing head no employing dual milling cutters is shown in'FIG. 5 This unit'is basically similar to'unit 10 describedaboveexceptfor the use of two beveled milling cutters in placeof a singlecylindrical cutter. Head 110 of the modification is secured by bolts 142to flange 140' of outer spindle 120. .As before, head 110 comprises aone-piece casting or forging bored longitudinally at diametrically.opposed locations to provide inclined apertures 148 for the receptionof collet sleeves 154. Paired cou'nterboredrecesses 150 are provided forseating bearings I58 adjacent each.end of sleeves 154.

The'axes of bores 148 are inclined forwardly and inwardly toward thenose of the pointer in intersecting relation with a the axis o'f thelatter, but in this instance the axes do not cross the axis of rotationwithin the body of theunit. As

sleeve and held in abutment against a rearwardly facing shoulder (notshown) of the sleeve by retaining nut 68. Gear 74 is thusrotatablysupported in meshing engagement with a complementary beveledgear 76 which is, in turn, splined or otherwise secured to a spindle 78telescopingly received within outer spindle 20 of the device.Support-for the forward endof spindle. 78 is supplied by a bearingassembly 80 received in a forwardly .facing recess 82 in the flanged end40 of outer spindle 20, and

spindle 78 is substantially coterminal with the latter at such end. Thehub portion 46 of pointing head'10is head by suitable screw means 92, asbest seen in FIGS.

3 and 4. Jig 90 is provided with a central bore 94'extending partiallythrough the jig and concentric with the axis of head 10. Theinner endof'bore 94 terminates in a conical seat 96 'whose conical angle conformswith that to be provided on the end of bolt B; Jig 90 also has a portion98 of its'peripherymilled out, as seen in splined or'otherwise attachedat .oneend. Both of gears 174 are in meshing engagement at diametricallyopposite points with driving pinion 176. The latter is secured to theinner end ofspindle 178 which, in turn, is supported internally ofspindle for rotation independently thereof-by a bearing assembly 180seated in a'recess 182 of flange 140. Colletsleeves 154 each.incorporate a split collet or similar arrangement (not shown)forchucking a beveled millingcutter 152.. For conveniencein axiallyshifting or for changing cutters 152, the chucking arrangement iscontrolled at the cutterrend Ofzthfl spindle, rather than at theopposite end as in the former example.

Asgseen in FIG. 5, .the adjacent cutting" surfaces of millers 152 forman included angle which 'is bisected by the axisof rotation of head -11'0.- Jig 190 is removably secured tothe; face or nose of-the unit and isprovided with an. aperture 194.-located on the axis of rotationwithin'which the ends of the bolt'blanks are received. As .before,.aguard :fence.136 having an aperture 138 in alignment with thelapertureof jig 190 is supported closely adjacent the forward face of the unit. a

"I'lie operationofthis modified form of apparatusis identical with theearlier form described. Again it is desirable in this rnodification toemploy milling cutters having helically inclined teeth with the helicalinclination so directed as to cause the bolts, screws, etc. to bedrawninto the pointing headfafter'initial contact of the end of the bolt withthe cutters has been made. I

A third variant within the invention is shown in FIGS.

, 6 and 7. In this unit two cutters are again employed as in theprevious'example but. in this instance the axes of these cuttersareskewed with respect to the central axis of the'pointer itselfas'wellas' to .each other. This arrangement, as in the case of the firstconstruction. de-

. scribed, permits the'use of plain cylindrical milling cutters.

I Referring to FIG. 6, pointing head '210 is secured by bolts 242passing-throughflange 240 on spindle 220; Head 210 is bored to provideskewed passages 248 having recessed bearing seats 250 at each end ofeach such passage. As before, the inclination of the axes of bores 248is inwardly towards the forward end or nose of pointer head 210, and inthis case the axes again cross over the axis of rotation within the headitself. Spindles 254 are supported in these passages by bearings 258,and are driven by bevel gears 274 secured thereto. Plain sleeve bearingsare illustrated in this embodiment and necessary lubrication is suppliedthrough the use of a hollow inner spindle 278 and the provision oflubrication ducts 285 communicating each of bearings 258 with a centralmanifold 237 in the unit. Gears 274 mesh at diametrically oppositelocations with pinion 276 which is fast with inner spindle 278. Colletor other suitable means for chucking cutters 252 are provided inspindles 254. A jig 290 fastened to the forward end face is providedwith a central aperture 294 for the reception of the bolts and screws,and is secured by means of screws 292 to the head of the pointer.

Operation of this form of the invention is the same as in the case ofthe other modifications already discussed.

The pointing units illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4 and 6, 7 have theadvantage that milling cutters 52 and 252, respectively, may be am'allyshifted to bring a new portion of the cutting surface into operation,thus obviating the necessity of removing the cutter for resharpening.This effects a saving through reduction of down-time for the unit. Thefirst mentioned unit also has practical advantages resulting from theuse of collet spindle bearings which are substantially larger indiameter than the milling cutter, thus making for low unit stress on themore critical bearings in the unit. The use of dual cutters, as in FIGS.5, 6 and 7, however, obviously provides greater cutting surface incontact with the work at any given time and consequently reduces thecutting time required for each individual piece.

Various other specific changes in construction of the apparatus mayobviously be made and it is to be understood therefore that suchmodifications as properly fall within the scope and spirit of thefollowing claims are intended to be comprehended thereby.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus for pointing the ends of bolts, screws and the like, asupporting frame, substantially coterminal, coaxially telescoping innerand outer driving spindles journaled for rotation on said frame, meansfor driving said spindles independently of each other in the samedirection of rotation but at different speeds, a head secured to one ofsaid spindles entirely forwardly thereof for rotation thereby, acountershaft journaled for rotation in said head, said countershaftbeing inclined inwardly toward the free end of said head, a drivingmember secured to said countershaft and a complementary driving memberfast with the other of said spindles, said members being interconnectedfor driving engagement, a rotary cutter carried by said countershaft atits forward end and providing a cutting surface disposed at an acuteangle to the axis of rotation of said head, and a jig mounted at saidforward end portion having an axially disposed aperture for slidingreception therein of bolt and screw blanks to guide the inner endsthereof into contact with said cutter.

2. In apparatus for pointing the ends of bolt and screw blanks, asupporting frame, substantially coterminal, coaxially telescoping innerand outer spindles journaled on said frame, means for driving saidspindles independently of each other, in the same direction of rotationbut at different speeds, at head secured to said outer spindle entirelyforwardly thereof, a countershaft carried by said head for rotationtherein, said countershaft being inclined inwardly and forwardly of saidhead toward intersection with the axis thereof, gear means secured tothe rear of said countershaft and a pinion secured to said inner spindlein mesh with said first gear, a milling cutter car-- ried by saidcountershaft adjacent the forward end of said head and having millingteeth forming an acute angle with the axis of said head, a jig removablysecured at the forward end of said head and having an axial aperture forthe sliding reception therein of bolt and screw blanks to guide the endsthereof into contact with said milling cutter.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said head has a generallyfrusto-conical forward portion whose outer surface is substantiallyparallel to said countershaft to dispose the smaller diameter of saidhead forward.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said frustoconical portionis slotted along an axial plane partially through said head, bearingassemblies received in said inclined bore for rotatably supporting saidcountershaft, and a clamping bolt passing through said head transverselyof said slotted portion to permit clamping said bearing assembly withinsaid bore.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said head has a rearwardlyextending cylindrical hub portion, and said outer spindle has aperipheral flange, screw means passing through the flange into said hubto secure said head to said spindle.

6. Apparatus for pointing the ends of bolts, screws and the like, whichcomprises a pointing head and a hollow spindle having an external flangeat one end, means rotatably supporting said hollow spindle and means forremovably securing said head to said flange to support said headco-axially of said spindle entirely forwardly thereof, said headcomprising an integral body member having a longitudinal bore thereininclined inwardly and forwardly relative to the axis of said spindle andintersecting the projection of same within the forward portion of saidhead, a countershaft located in said bore and bearings received withinthe latter for rotatably supporting said countershaft therein, colletmeans incorporated in said countershaft and a cylindrical milling cutterchucked in said collet means, said milling cutter having its cuttingsurface disposed astride the axis of said head within said bore, a bevelgear fast on said countershaft at the rear thereof, a pinion in meshingengagement with said gear, and a second spindle journaled within saidhollow spindle to which said pinion is secured, said second spindlebeing substantially coterminal forwardly with said hollow spindle, anddriving means for driving said spindles in the same direction but atdifferent speeds, a work holding jig removably secured to the forwardend of said head, and an aperture therein concentric with the axis ofsaid head and extending into communication with said bore to provideaccess for bolts received in said jig aperture to said milling cutter.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said milling cutter hashelically inclined teeth with the helix inclined, relative to thedirection of rotation of the cutter, to draw the work inwardly of saidhead when contact is established with said cutter.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said milling cutter isaxially shiftable in said collet.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, which includes a pair ofcountershafts diametrically opposed within said head, each of saidshafts having gear means secured at its rearward end in meshingengagement with said pinion on said inner spindle, and each shaft havinga beveled milling cutter at its forward end, the adjacent cuttingsurfaces of said milling cutters forming an acute included anglebisected by the axis of said head and disposed immediately adjacent theinner end of said aperture in said jig.

10. Apparatus for pointing the ends of bolts, screws and the like, whichcomprises a pointing head and a hollow spindle having a flange at oneend, journal means rotatably supporting said hollow spindle, means forremovably securing said head to said flange to support said head axiallyon said spindle entirely forwardly of said journal means, said headcomprising a generally cylindrical body member having diametricallyopposed bores running generally longitudinally of said head but skewedhead, a 'countershaftlocated in each of said bores and bearings receivedwithin the latter for rotatably supporting the respective countershafts,a generally cylindrical milling cutter secured to the forward end ofeach of said shafts whose adjacent cutting surfaces form an acuteincluded angle bisected by the axis of said head, each u of said shaftsalso having a bevel gear secured to their respective rearward ends, apinion disposed intermediate said bevel gears and meshing with both atdiametrically opposite points on its periphery, a second spindle journaled within said first to which said pinion is secured, said secondspindle being substantially coterminal at its forward end with theforward end of said hollow spindle, and means for rotating said spindlesin the same direction but at independent speeds; a work holdingjigremovably secured to the forward end of said head and an'aperturetherein concentric with the axis of said head and extending intocommunication with said milling cutters.

11; Apparatus as defined in claim IOyWherein said head is formed with ace'ntrallubricant manifold and ducts leading therefrom to each of saidcountershatt bearings, said a second spindle being provided with alubricant duct communicating within said vhead with said centralmanifold. V v 7 References Cited by the Examiner I UNITED STATES PATENTS7 894,600' 7/08 Chadwick r 144-30 1,206,450 11/ 16 Myers 144-301,292,781 1/19 Hopkinson 90-1153 1,475,978 12/23 Westerman 74 96601,532,167 4/25 Weiler "120- 96 I I FOREIGN PATENTS 1,223,421 1/60France.

ANDREW R JUHASZ Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM 'DYER,JR,, Examiner.

1. IN APPARATUS FOR POINTING THE ENDS OF BOLTS, SCREWS AND THE LIKE, ASUPPORTING FRAME, SUBSTANTIALLY COTERMINAL, COAXIALLY TELESCOPING INNERAND OUTER DRIVING SPINDLES JOURNALED FOR ROTATION ON SAID FRAME, MEANSFOR DRIVING SAID SPINDLES INDEPENDENTLY OF EACH OTHER IN THE SAIDDIRECTION OF ROTATION BUT AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, A HEAD SECURED TO ONE OFSAID SPINDLES ENTIRELY FORWARDLY THEREOF FOR ROTATION THEREBY, ACOUNTERSHAFT BEING INCLINED INWARDLY TOWARD THE FREE SAID COUNTERSHAFTBEING INCLINED INWARDLY TOWARD THE FREE END OF SAID HEAD, A DRIVINGMEMBER SECURED TO SAID COUNTERSHAFT AND A COMPLEMENTARY DRIVING MEMBERFAST WITH THE OTHER OF SAID SPINDLES, SAID MEMBERS BEING INTERCONNECTEDFOR DRIVING ENGAGEMENT, A ROTARY CUTTER CARRIED BY SAID COUNTERSHAFT ATITS FORWARD END AND PROVIDING A CUTTING SURFACE DISPOSED AT AN ACUTEANGLE TO THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID HEAD, AND A JIG MOUNTED AT SAIDFORWARD END PORTION HAVING AN AXIALLY DISPOSED APERTURE FOR SLIDINGRECEPTION THEREIN OF BOLT AND SCREW BLANKS TO GUIDE THE INNER ENDSTHEREOF INTO CONTACT WITH SAID CUTTER.